Iria's Erasmus Experience in Lecce, Italy

Why did you choose to go to Lecce, Italy?

It seemed like a beautiful city, not too big nor too small but mostly because it was cheap.

How long was your scholarship for? How much money did you receive?

The scholarship was for 9 months and I receive €1, 045 from the European Commission, €900 from the MEC (Spanish Ministry of Education and Culture) and €600 from the Galician Local Government. However, these last two still have to be confirmed.

How is the student life in Lecce?

Great, it's a beautiful city, the people from Salento are very welcoming, they'll help you with anything they can.

Would you recommend Lecce as a city and University to other students?

Without a doubt. I don't think I could've chosen better, I'm so happy with everything. The only negative is that the university facilities leave a lot to be desired, but everything else is very positive. Actually, I would love to stay here after my Erasmus year.

How is the food?

The best, we never stop eating.

Pasta, pizza, piadina salentina, rustico, pasticciotti, gelato, pizzo, Greek food...

Was it difficult finding accommodation in Lecce?

No, after 3 days I had found a flat. At the beginning, the University will put you up in a B&B for €12 a night and then you can go to the Erasmus Association who will help you look for a flat or on your behalf. I looked for a place myself and I ended up in the second flat I saw.

What is the cost of living in Lecce?

Between €400 and €500 a month.

You can find a flat which costs €170-250 a month, I paid €177 and then the rest of my expenses went on bills (water, electricity, gas, internet), food shopping (a bit more expensive than in Galicia, some products in particular like milk and yogurt), and then other leisure expenses like eating out or travel.

How did you get on with the language? Did you attend a course at the University?

I had studied Italian a year before so I had a good level when I arrived. After three months here I can be understood without any issues. I sat B1 Italian at the University of Santiago (they make you do a test which you have to pass before they let you go to Italy, but it depends on the home University, the majority don't require anything and many people come here without knowing anything and it's difficult for them to keep up in class).

I don't recommend coming here without knowing any Italian, you can adapt but it will be more difficult, especially in the first couple of months.

What's the most cost-effective way to get to Lecce from your hometown?

With Iberia Erasmus, you have to sign up on http://erasmus.iberiajoven.com/ and you can get the flight you need for a low price and you can check in two suitcases weighing 23 kilos each and take 10 kilos in hand luggage with no extra charge. My journey at Christmas was Santiago-Madrid, Madrid-Rome and then a train from Rome to Lecce which cost €230 for a return ticket.

You can find cheaper flights (but not a lot cheaper) with Ryanair, but you can only take hand luggage.

Vueling isn't a great option either, it costs €185 one-way with 23 kilos of luggage and 10 kilos of hand luggage. It goes direct to Bari but I don't recommend it because you're going to need more luggage in the hold. Bring winter clothes, just because Lecce is in the south doesn't mean it doesn't get cold, just now it's colder than in Galicia. It also rains a lot in Autumnn so you're going to need decent shoes! After Christmas I'm going to take more winter clothes with me.

Where would you recommend for a night out in Lecce?

The street is basically where everyone goes, there aren't many clubs or pubs around here. The clubs are all in the outskirts and the pubs don't play much music, the people here take some drinks with them or buy them in bars and then meet up with their friends in the street.

Now it's winter, there are loads of beer gardens open now which are great or there's bars, cafes or wine bars which play live music, it's more expensive so you can only really go once in while.

Another option is the huge social centre which often organises parties, concerts, cinema screenings etc and it's always free.

What about going out to eat in Lecce? Can you tell us some of your favourite places?

Any stall selling piadina (similar to pitta bread filled with different ingredients: cheese, cold meats, aubergine, mushrooms, tomato... you can choose what you want), it costs €2-4 depending on the number of ingredients.

The food at the Greek restaurant "Sapori di Grecia" is delicious. They do a lot of deals and it's not expensive.

Any pizzería will be incredible and cheap too.

Any of the pizza al taglio stands.

Any ice cream shop... There are plenty places in Lecce where you can eat well and which aren't expensive either.

What is there in terms of cultural places to visit?

Everything in Lecce is really impressive and I still haven't seen it all. Lecce belongs to a by-gone era, you'll see something new to surprise you every day when you're walking in the street, incredible buildings with balconies and arches... it's known as the Florence of the south for a reason!

I love the Salentine culture, the music (Taranta), the dancing (Pizzica), the way the people are, the Greek influence...

Any advice for students going to Lecce in the future?

Don't come here if you don't know any Italian, nobody speaks English.

Bring some winter clothes and waterproofs.

Enjoy the experience, so far it's been one of the best of my life.

I really couldn't have chosen a better destination (there were 30 to choose from in Italy).

Lu Salentu: lu Sole, lu mare, lu ientu!

(Salento: the sun, the sea and the wind!)